JUDITH BEATTIE, 20, is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and has spent most of the past five months in hospital, but sister Katie insists they are in it together and organised the huge art exhibition in Glasgow to help her twin.

Sisters Judith and Katie with donations for the exhibition (Image: David Johnstone Photography)

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AS TWIN sisters, Judith and Katie Beattie have always done everything together. They were born a minute apart and were inseparable growing up.

But now, for the first time, they’re not the same. Art student Judith has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

The 20-year-old is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and has spent the best part of the past five months in hospital.

Judith might be the one diagnosed with cancer but as far as Katie’s concerned they’re in it together.

She’s been by her sister’s side every step of the way, from the moment she rushed to her side after her diagnosis to the day she spent her holiday savings on an iPad for Judith.

And now she’s organising a huge art exhibition to help her twin – and to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Judith’s own paintings will stand pride of place when the exhibition opens later this month, alongside the work of a host of top Scottish artists.

Judith, of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, said: “My sister has been amazing throughout this.

“We’ve always been close but this has actually brought us closer.

“I’ve moved back home and we’re living together again.

“Katie’s already told me she will donate her bone marrow to me if I need it. She’s been incredible.”

Judith, who was in her final year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, began to feel ill last summer.

She explained: “I started to lose weight and was really pale. I initially thought that I was anaemic.

“Then, on holiday in Spain, I was feeling out of breath and light-headed climbing stairs, yet I’m usually fit and healthy.

“I went for a blood test the day I went back to uni. I wasn’t too worried – I thought I probably needed to start eating more meat.”

The girls at a wedding together before Judith got ill

Judith took her prognosis in her stride.

She said: “I was OK when they told me. I think it was more worrying for my family than for me.”

Indeed, twin sister Katie was beside herself with worry. She said: “When Jude got her bloods taken, her levels were half of what you might have if you were anaemic.

“The doctor phoned back in a panic and she was sent to hospital the next day.

“I knew it was bad at that stage.

“They had mentioned bone marrow and I knew what that meant.

“But although I prepared myself for leukaemia, it was still a massive shock.

“I had to wait to see her until she was driven down from Dundee.

“The first time we saw her we had to put on plastic aprons, to prevent the risk of infection, even although she had been walking about the streets two days ago.

“It seemed surreal.”

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a fast and aggressive cancer.

It appears very quickly but, thankfully, can also be treated successfully.

But the treatment is a long slog – two years for girls, three for boys.

Katie explained: “We were told she would be in hospital for up to six months without a break, although she got out for Christmas for a while and she’s been home for the past few weeks.

“They had to test to see if the cancer was in Jude’s brain. Thankfully they caught it quickly.

“If it hadn’t been caught when it was she wouldn’t have had long left. But it’s treatable and she’s getting through.”

Since September, Judith’s been coping with constant intense chemotherapy.

She’s been so ill she has barely been allowed home between treatments.

But she’s been in the Teenage Cancer Trust ward within the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow. And Judith believes that’s what’s made it bearable.

She said: “It drives you crazy being in hospital. As it’s a blood cancer your blood count goes really low and you’re not allowed to leave the ward.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the Teenage Cancer unit.

“There’s a chill-out zone, a place to get drinks and snacks, to get your hair cut or, for most, to get the rest of your hair shaved off, to get your nails done, massages and reiki.

“And the people in there are so nice. They aren’t just putting it on. They genuinely care.

“These nurses are the nicest people I’ve ever met. And that’s why we’re raising money for them. They’ve been amazing.”

Judith Beattie with her brother and mum

While Katie’s been organising the exhibition, Judith’s been in the ward, coping with the side-effects of chemo.

She explained: “I actually feel really positive, though.

“A lot of people end up with lasting problems because of the medication but others fully recover.

“It’s made me stop worrying about the little things in life.

“I’m appreciating the little things, like being close to my sister, being back at home with her and my family, even being able to taste food.

“During my treatment I’ve been so jealous of people who can eat. I’ve been so sick that you lose your sense of taste.

“I’ve been in a lot longer than I hoped, as I had really horrible side-effects from the steroids.

“I got really ill and I have lost around two stone.”

But, she added, cancer doesn’t scare her any more.

Judith explained: “It’s been so much harder for my family. I’ve had so much support that I’ve never worried.

“The first time you hear the word cancer it’s like dun dun dah. It’s a big deal. But then it just became a word.

“I’m not scared any more. The doctors have been amazing.

“They said that because I’m young and female, I have good prospects.

“Katie’s been amazing, as has my best friend Shannon.”

For Katie, it’s been harder, watching her beloved sister become a shadow of her former self. But she’s been determined to be strong for Judith.

She said: “As a twin you’re just in it, you don’t think about it.

“It started off scary but then I saw Judith for the first time after her diagnosis and realised it was still her.

“We’re in the middle of it now and it’s become normal, it’s just our life.

“Everybody on the outside feels terrible for us but we’re OK. I’m always upset when Judith’s upset but I’ve been good at keeping it together for us.

“We’ve had rough times, as she’s been so unwell, but Jude’s said I’ve been the only one who has kept her feeling normal.

“Even Mum and Dad haven’t been able to hold it together.”

The girls have been inseperable since they were toddlers

But if Judith does need a bone marrow transplant, Katie’s determined to be the one to help her sister. But she’s hopeful they won’t get to that stage.

She added: “Bone marrow transplants are the last resort, when the chemo stops working.

“Before that there’s radiotherapy, which makes you infertile. And that’s after two years of chemo.

“It’s funny, though, we’re not even thinking that far ahead. At the moment it’s not the cancer we’re worried about.

“There’s so much more than that. When her bloods are low there’s a big risk of infection. Her platelets have been so low they’ve been six, when 400 is normal.

“It means that if she falls (and cuts herself) she wouldn’t stop bleeding.

“People presume that losing your hair is the worst thing about chemo but Jude’s not been precious about it. She suits her head shaved.

“In fact, looking back, Jude wasn’t that happy before her diagnosis, she was really homesick up in Dundee.

“This has given her a fresh perspective on life. She’s a lot happier.

“She has a very supportive boyfriend and she’s back home with us. She’s very positive.”

It was hearing about a friend who was battling brain cancer’s fundraising efforts that gave the sisters the idea of their art exhibition to raise money for charity.

Katie’s been working round the clock to launch their art show in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust later this month.

She said: “Jude’s an artist and she has so many contacts at art school.

“We initially thought we’d have about 20 pieces to exhibit but we’re looking at about 200 already.

“We’re hoping to raise at least £4000.”

A host of high-profile artists have donated including Hugh Rankin, Andy Peutherer, Robert Gould, Ann Galloway and Phyllis Mulligan.

Judith said: “I’m so lucky my sister has organised all this for me.

“I’ve got a couple pieces in the exhibition, which I’m so proud of. It’s just amazing that she and Shannon have got this off the ground.

“We want to give something back to the Teenage Cancer Trust. And for now, I just want to stay positive and stay out of hospital as long as possible.”

* The exhibition will launch on February 21 at Skypark and run from February 22 to March 2, with proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust. For info and to view the artwork, visit facebook.com/TCTexhibitionglasgow